Case for matches, cigarettes, and the like



w. H. LESTER. CASE FOR MATCHES, CIGARETTES, AND TFIE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. I921.

filAs Afisfl I Patented 001;. 17, 11922.

Patenteol Unit. I7, 1922.

laid

PATENT WILLIAM H. LESTER, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, ASSIG'ITOR TC ILLINOIS WATCH CASE COMPANY, 033 ELGIN, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CASE FOR MATCHES, CIGARETTES, A'ND THE LIKE Application filed May 27,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. LESTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Case for Matches, Cigarettes, and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a case for small articles, such as matches, cigarettes, etc., and it is concerned primarily with means which serve to limit the opening movement of the case covers and to maintain in an intermediate position a holder in which the matches, cigarettes, or other articles may be conveniently retained.

An exemplification of this invention in its preferred form is shown in the drawing in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a perspective viewthcreof, the covers of the case being open to exhibit the holder therebetween;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the case with its parts similarly related;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the case with the covers closed;

Fig. 1- is a detail in perspective of the lug which serves as a stop for the covers; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through the lug and the parts associated therewith.

The case shown in the drawing comprises a pair of hinged covers A and B, each formed with a marginal flange 10 that extends toward the other to provide an enclosure when the covers are folded together. A holder C for articles of small size, such as matches, cigarettes, etc., is also arranged between the covers as shown.

Formed on the meeting edges of the two covers are joints 11 which co-operate with a joint 12 that is formed on the holder, and through all of said joints extends a spring pintle 13 to provide a hinged connection which normally urges the covers to open position, as shown. A spring catch 14 may be used to hold the covers together against the tension of the spring pintle.

As shown in the drawing, the case covers are adapted to swing apart through an arc of about 180 degrees thereby permitting the device to be rested upon any convenient plane surface. To bring about this result, I secure to the joint 12 a lug 15 within which is an opening '16 facilitating connection of a 1921. Serial No. 472,971'.

chain or cord therewith, if desired. This lug extends from the holder joint to lie between and protrude beyond the adjacent ends of the case covers. In so doing the flanges 10 are required to abut the lug when the covers have opened to their limit, this limit of movement being, in fact, determined by engagement of the flanges with the lug. Any convenient means for attaching the lug to the holder joint may be employed such as a solder connection at the point indicated by the numeral 17.

The case. herein disclosed is advantageous, in that its parts may be produced and assembled by very simple operations, and with a minimum of expense. The means for retaining the holder in upright position when the case covers are opened is also certain in its operation, since it depends upon the action of the spring pintle which is employed to open the covers. Obviously the form which the case shall take may be varied from that which is shown in the drawing, wherein is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention that is characterized by the special features herein described and claimed.

I claim:

1. In a case of the kind described, the combination of a pair of covers and a holder all having a common. pivotal connection, means for normally urging the covers to open position, and means for supporting the holder in an intermediate position between the covers consisting of a lug connected with the holder and extended therefrom to lie between the adjacent ends of the two covers to provide a stop therefor, said lug being formed for attachment to a connecting medium, substantially as described. 7

2. In a case of the kind described, the c0mbination of a pair of covers each having a -marginal flange turned toward the other, a

holder between the covers, a common hinged connection for the two covers and the holder, means for normally urging the covers to open position, and means for limiting the opening movement of the covers comprising a lug secured to the holder and extending between the flanges on the adjacent ends of the covers to engage with each other whereby the holder is centrally held between the covers, the lug being further formed for attachment to a connecting medium, substantially as described.

3. Th a case of the kind described, the combination of a pair of coverseach having a marginal flange turned toward the other, a, holder arranged between the covers, co-operating oints on the holder and cover flanges, a spring pintle'extending through all the joints to provide a common hinged connection for the holder and the coversya lug secured to the holder joint and adapted to lie between the adj aeent flanges of the two covers to limit their opening movement and also to maintain the holder upright between the covers, the lug being projected beyond the adjacent ends of the covers and having an eye adapting it for attachment to a connecting medium, substantially as described.

- WILLIAM H. LESTER. 

